George North picked up a new car after last year's Six Nations and has already clocked up in excess of 23,000 miles.

He lives just outside Northampton, his girl-friend Becky James, a multi-cycling world champion on the track and a 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal hope, rotates between Manchester and Abergavenny, his family live at Rhoscolyn on the island of Anglesey off the coast of north-west Wales and Wales train just outside of Cardiff.

If he made the oblong journey along the M4, M50, M5, M42, M1, M6, M56, A55, A470 and back on the M4, the 22-year-old would be driving for 634 miles and, according to the AA route-planner, it would take 13hr 1min.

But life in the fast lane is nothing new to North. The Northampton Saints crowd favourite has had to grow up in it after coming from obscurity to international rugby player in a matter of the weeks following his explosion on to the senior scene with the Scarlets in September 2010.

Boy George was just 18 years and 214 days when he became the third youngest player in Wales history behind Tom Prydie and Norman Biggs as he made his debut against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on November 13 of that year.

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And it was sensational with two tries as Wales pushed the then world champions all the way. Suddenly, North was box-office, an overnight sensation as he went from being an unknown to one of the most recognised faces in the country.

He's gone on to win another 47 caps and touch down another 17 times for Wales. Throw in two Six Nations titles, one with a Grand Slam, a World Cup semi-final in New Zealand in 2011 and two tries during a winning Test series with the Lions in Australia in 2013, and it's clear to see he's been busy.

Not for him attending university with his pals and being able to enjoy the social side of studying, the nights out and the partying. For North has had to live the relentless life of a professional athlete, with its demands, the training, the nutrition, the travel, the playing and, sometimes, the boredom.

What's different about him is he is Welsh rugby's equivalent of football ace Gareth Bale in the sense he had to leave home to achieve his dreams.

Bale, now with Spanish giants Real Madrid, had to move from his home city of Cardiff for Southampton, while North had to head south from Anglesey to finish schooling at Llandovery College after being head-hunted by the Scarlets.

Not coming from the rugby hotbed of south Wales and being able to remain living at home, he had to blaze his own trail.

But North certainly hasn't forgotten his roots and heads home as often as possible. His mother Jan cooks his favourite dish, cawl, and he credits the dedication and commitment of his family while they were spending hours ferrying him to matches and training sessions in north Wales and later the south as a major factor in his determination to make it big.

Wales' George North is tackled during the RBS Six Nations match at the Stade de France, Paris, France.

"It has been different growing up as a young man to what my mates were doing, whether they were at university or taking various other paths," he said.

"It would have been nice to have that experience of living in halls, the whole university life-style thing. Then again, I have spoken to my mates and they've said they would give anything to be in my position.

"It's realising how lucky I have been on so many levels. For one, there's the exposure I have had playing at this level and the opportunities I have had.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side - it's a massive honour and privilege to be where I am. Even though I missed out on university, it's made up by what I'm doing because I love it."

North was a keen sportsman, playing cricket and football, but the Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern pupil settled on rugby when he joined Llangefni RFC.

"I was quite fortunate I managed to meet up with some good coaches and very passionate people. I picked up the bug playing sport with good friends," he explained.

With rugby clubs being thinner on the ground on Anglesey, sometimes they could go a couple of weeks without a match.

"Nevertheless, a few of us still met up for training," North went on.

"It wasn't necessarily professional what we were doing but we worked on our fitness and skills, the little things that benefit you as a player.

Wales' George North is tackled by France Brice Dulin and Yoann Huget

"It was just getting the platform of how you should train and manage yourself, even down to the basic nutrition."

Of the north Walian group, prop Rhodri Jones has also been capped while centre Jack Roberts has been signed by Leicester Tigers after shining for English Championship club Rotherham.

"I was picked up by the Scarlets Academy and went to sixth-form college at Llandovery. It was tough living away from home for the first time but playing rugby was what I wanted to do," North added.

"I knew, even if I didn't make it professionally, I had given it a full crack. I knuckled down to my work. We were allowed to go home every three weeks but it was a life-lesson I had to learn quite quickly."

So, being almost constantly on the road is nothing new to North.

"It's all I have known but I'm from such a tight-knit family we all travel a lot to see each other," he said.

The youngest of four children - North has a brother and two sisters - he's adamant he wouldn't have succeeded in his quest to be a professional rugby player if it wasn't for that support from them and the rugby community in north Wales.

From Iori Hughes and Martin Williams at Llangefni to Marc Roberts at Pwllheli, Si Woods and Dave Grimshaw at Rhyl and Dafydd Myrddin at Gogledd Cymru Under 16s, North has had plenty of inspiration along the way.

"They are guys I owe my career to, just top blokes who love the game of rugby. Without the help and backing of people like them, and my family, I wouldn't be where I am today," declared North.

With that, he sprung out of his armchair and was off - the fast lane was beckoning once again with Wales heading to Rome for their Italian job.